In order to understand Robert Mercer’s brilliant financial engineering, let’s begin our analysis using three outstanding local Portland beers. They are Rogue Brewery’s Shakespeare Stout, Widmer’s Hefeweizen and Deschutes Breweries Fresh Squeezed IPA. All are distributed by Portland based Columbia Distributing, one of the nations largest beer distributors, which was purchased by the Jim Simons controlled investment fund Meritage in 2012. Simons along with Robert Mercer are Co-CEO of the $100 billion Rentec hedge fund.

This analysis will unravel the relationship between Rentec’s Medallion fund, its company retirement plan, the Meritage private equity fund, which purchased Columbia Distributing in 2012, and numerous tax exempt foundations including those of Jim Simons, Nat Simons and Robert Mercer.

Senator McConnell’s Dilemma: To Serve Patients or Investors?

When evaluating health care investments it is important to analyze the structure of leading drug and medical equipment companies. A close look indeed reveals a derivative driven system in which private equity and hedge funds increase demand for drug payments by purchasing the rights to the cash flows from key drugs. Patients are indeed unaware that many of the drugs they consume are now owned in part by private equity investors.

In 2010 the Supreme Court ruled in favor of Citizens United, opening the door for unlimited political contributions, essentially turning major political races over to billionaires. Republicans and Democrats now openly agree this has had a major impact on the political process.

Billionaire Donald Trump himself has openly criticized this decision, calling it a disaster for Democracy. During the campaign he has also called opponents, including Marco Rubio and Ted Cruz ,”puppets for their billionaire donors.” Trump is self funding his campaign.

Parish & Company reviews candidates financial information for various news organizations and this post looks at the Donald J Trump foundation. The purpose is not to criticize Mr. Trump but rather articulate key dynamics for these journalists.